Dementia and understanding of self: How self-perceptions of personality dimensions differ from informant perceptions of patient personality for patients with AD and Amnestic MCI

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Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. As increasing numbers of people move into old age, the prevalence of AD continues to rise. Understanding the individual personality factors that moderate the impact, progression, and course of AD is important. A total of 210 participants and their informants from a neurology clinic in upstate New York completed neuropsychological evaluation which included self and informant reports of personality utilizing the NEO-FFI. Control participants and patients who had been given a diagnosis of AD or amnestic MCI were included in the study. ANOVA were used to compare self-reported personality traits to informant rated personality traits and to compare self-reported personality traits by rater and severity of diagnosis across the five personality traits. Tukey post-hoc analyses were utilized to explore the relationship between diagnosis and rater for each of the personality traits. Statistically significant differences were found between self and informant reports of personality, with significant differences seen in the traits Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness. Differences were also found in Neuroticism, Openness, and Conscientiousness by diagnoses. The current study suggests that individuals and informants differed in their ratings of patient personality, and that severity of diagnosis impacted personality ratings. Ratings patterns were consistent with those patterns seen in the literature for other chronic conditions. Those with amnestic MCI or AD may not be accurate reporters of current personality and the use of informants is indicated where possible.